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Review: Wonder Boy Collection

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Let’s get one thing straight, we are checking out the digital version of the Wonder Boy Collection, which is vastly different from the physical boxed edition from Strictly Limited Games. Just so you guys are informed, this digital version contains 4 Wonder Boy games, whereas the Strictly Limited Games (physical) edition has all 6 of the classic Wonder Boy titles, plus every Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Gear and arcade versions of those games, both in English and Japanese, for a grand total of 21 games – so you see, there is a pretty big difference!

OK, we have got that out of the way, let’s get into the 4 games that you get in the digital version of the Wonder Boy Collection. First off the bat (and our absolute favourite, because we grew up with it) is the arcade version of Wonder Boy (1986). The next one is another arcade version, Wonder Boy In Monster Land (1987), with the last two titles being Mega Drive/Genesis ports of  Wonder Boy in Monster World (1991) and (Wonder Boy) Monster World IV (1994).

This is not a bad little collection, but it does feel incomplete if you are a hardcore Wonder Boy fan. Considering there other titles in the main series left off this compilation, coupled with the remakes and Adventure Island ports, this could have been such a stellar collection worthy to be in everyone’s games library. Anyway, we digress!

If you are reading this, then you will know what types of games these are. Wonder Boy is an out and out platformer with jumping and collecting items on the way to rescuing his girlfriend – sound familiar? Yeah, it is in the Super Mario Bros. ilk, which isn’t a bad thing. The rest of the collection take this formula and sprinkle RPG elements to spice things up in each of the successive titles in the collection.

All games have the option to save/load states, modify the controls, rewind speeds and importantly, the video, which includes options to change the display, scaling and shaders – ensuring that you can retro it up to your heart’s content. The arcade ports have the additional options to change the number of lives, bonus lives and difficulty level, with Monster Land having the option to change how you use your special weapon. It would be remiss of us not to mention a blaring error on the Wonder Boy (1986) selection screen where there is reference to Tom-Tom’s girlfriend as Tanya instead of Tina. Hey, we know we are being very pedantic, but come on, this is elementary detail that should have been a no brainer.

All games are faithful to their original content, with the emulation accuracy being quite good on the Nintendo Switch. As it stands, for AU$39.99 (US$29.99), you get four pretty good Wonder Boy titles, but you can’t help it think how much more awesome it would have been if they added Monster Lair and Dragon’s Trap to this collection.



Disclaimer: The Nintendo Switch eShop code for the Wonder Boy Collection was provided by PR Hound.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – Review

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Cowabunga! Sorry, we really had to start with that!

How good do we beat’em up fans have it right now? Both Final Vendetta and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge get released within a day of one another. The last time we had it this good, I had a mullet and the singing budgie, Kylie Minogue, was killin’ it with her Stock Aitken Waterman hits. Oh yeah, and we are late doing this review because this game is deliciously addictive, just like a capricciosa pizza (minus the anchovies)!

You’ve probably read (or watched) a ton of reviews about this game already, so we honestly don’t know what else to say that hasn’t already been said – if you are into scrolling beat’em ups (playing solo or co-op), then adding TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge to your games library is a no-brainer, GET IT RIGHT NOW!


source: DotEmu

For those that need an extra push that are asking, how darn good is this game, well let us tell ya! We played Final Vendetta before Shredder’s Revenge and called it the beat’em up genre’s magnum opus (it’s darn good), but we honestly reckon Shredder’s Revenge is just as good (if not better!). The main pull for us is the fact that this game oozes nostalgia with its beautiful full-colour pixel visuals, aural (yay Tee Lopes!) and play mechanics by transporting us back to early 1990 in the video rental store where we first played the 4P Konami arcade game which totally blew our mind. Shredder’s Revenge has blown our mind too! Obviously it is a step above the original arcade with ample levels that are choc-full of foot clan baddies to smash with satisfying moves, attacks and brutal combos – there are 21 in total. Some moves do consume your Ninja Power bar, so you have to be strategic when to use it. Being TMNT, there is also a radical mode (basically god mode) that can be unlocked to mow down everyone on screen. Oh yeah, you can also taunt your enemies before you unleash your fist of fury. Did we also mention that you can play with up to six players simultaneously? No? Well, we have now – it’s just so gnarly! What else can we tell you about this game that no one has said already? It’s so bodacious!

We love the fact that you can play Shredder’s Revenge in Story or Arcade mode, with the latter basically giving the player a harder challenge with limited lives, continues and no saved progression – just the way we like it. Both Story and Arcade modes offer an easy (chill), hard (okay) and tough-as-nails (gnarly) difficulty levels, so it all depends on your mood and skill level.

If you need more convincing, then perhaps this game isn’t for you. If you are sitting on the fence, we say get off it and get playing TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge on your chosen system ASAP, you’ll thank us for it! Seriously though, if we had a rating system, we would give this all the stars in the observable universe. Bravo and thanks Tribute Games and DotEmu for giving us a superb game.

image source: DotEmu



Disclaimer: The Nintendo Switch review code for TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge was provided by DotEmu.

Review: Final Vendetta

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Sorry Double Dragon, Final Fight & Streets of Rage, there is a new beat’me up contender that kicks your a***

As an enduring genre we have always loved beat’em ups, especially at the arcades! Starting with Double Dragon in 1987 where we could play with a buddy kicking two-shades out of the baddies, we were very excited to get our hands on Final Vendetta!

Final Vendetta harks back to the good ole days of arcade beat’em ups, like Final Fight, with hard-hitting action, packed with modern stunning pixel art visuals, thumping dance/techno soundtrack featuring exclusive tracks by Utah Saints (yep, Utah Saints!), and most importantly, being able to brawl with bad dudes and tough girls across (six) very dangerous environments.

The hardcore fighting action pulls no punches in Final Vendetta, with heaps of enemies to take down with one of three playable heroes (characters) that have varying fighting styles with fresh beat’em up  mechanics like the ability to block and strike downed opponents and a plethora of other moves and combos to master. Oh yeah, to ensure your character’s health bar is always in tip top shape, there is succulent street food to sample across each level.

With only having time to play the arcade mode before this review, FV has four exciting game modes in total, with the aforementioned Arcade mode, Survival, Versus and Boss Rush – enough to keep you brawling for ages!

Goddamn this is a top class game. There honestly isn’t enough superlatives to describe the luscious visuals, the amazing sound effects and soundtracks, and of course, the gameplay with its usual moves and combos. But what sets Final Vendetta head and shoulders above anything else that came before it are the newly minted beat’em up mechanics/moves like blocking, striking downed opponents and performing juggle combos – these truly are the cherries on top of an already delicous cake!

Here is the final word on Final Vendetta – it is simply the complete beat’em up video game package, and we would go as far as saying this is the genre’s magnum opus – it’s that bloody good!

Details:

  • Game: Final Vendetta
  • Platform(s):
    • Digital: Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox X|S & Steam
    • Physical: check retailers at Numskull Games
  • Available: June 17, 2022 (UK and Europe)
  • Price: US$24.95 (Switch eShop)



Stern Pinball Launches INSIDER CONNECTED™ Leaderboards

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Global Stern High Score Tournament Starts Now!

Stern Pinball keeps innovating and expanding their Insider Connected service with the worldwide launch of leaderboards. By connecting the universe of Stern pinball machines, the award-winning Insider Connected platform continues to enhance and extend player engagement with games across both home and commercial environments. Through Leaderboards, players can compete against each other across connected Stern pinball machines.

Do you have what it takes to be the worldwide King of the Monsters? Test yourself by competing in the first ever global Stern Leaderboard on any connected Godzilla pinball machine! Starting now through June 30th, log in with your Insider Connected account to any Godzilla pinball machine at your home or at a location near you (must be logged in to Insider Connected account to view). Climb up the ranks, follow the action throughout the month here to see who will emerge victorious, earn ultimate bragging rights, and receive global Stern social media adoration.


source: Stern Pinball

For those looking for an in-person challenge, local leaderboards will be available at an entertainment location near you. Insider Connected Location Leaderboard functionality is now available to all Insider Connected Professional accounts. Location Leaderboard competitive play will drive increased gameplay and new player participation. This will extend any Insider Connected Pro operator’s location entertainment experience which will drive revenue and excitement. For more information on how to set up your own custom Leaderboard, visit Stern Pinball’s FAQs where you will find:

  • Leaderboard Set-up Video
  • Leaderboard Set-up Guides (PDF)
  • Leaderboard Set-up Guides for Location Displays (PDF); and
  • Leaderboard Player Discovery Guide (PDF)

Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com. Players can register at a connected game by scanning a QR code or at the Stern Pinball website. Once a player registers, they are issued a unique QR Code that can be used to identify that player at any connected Stern pinball machine anywhere in the world. When a player logs into the machine, they can track progress, earn new game specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.



Press release supplied by Stern Pinball Inc.

Samurai Riot ‘Definitive Edition’ – Nintendo Switch Review

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We have been spoiled with scrolling beat’em ups and slash’em ups lately on our Switch, so checking out Samurai Riot Definitive Edition was high on our list!

The first thing that struck us when playing Samurai Riot was its Golden Axe play and feel, which isn’t a bad comparison at all. Going by the gorgeous visuals, one would argue that we are on some illicit substance obscuring our brain by comparing this game to Sega’s classic slash’em up. On visuals alone, you may have a point, but immersing yourself in playing the game, it does feel like its Sega forebear.

Samurai Riot is one darn slick with great challenging game for those of us that like to beat and slash some really bad guys. Oh yeah, grabbing a weapon is customary in games like this, so once it’s in your hands you can really go for the kill. Samurai Riot Definitive Edition launched back in 2017, so us Nintendo Switch owners have had to wait for a while, but it was totally worth it. This Definitive Edition sports gorgeous new animations at 60fps, new dialogs, improved combos to make it easier for average players and the new updated backgrounds round off a great gaming package.

We usually don’t care about the backstory to a beat’em up/slash’em up, but this one did pique our interest. The story compels the player to really think about their decisions in game and the ramifications of their choices. Having been hired to bring peace and tranquillity to the warring land, each choice you make as a Samurai, Tsurumaru / Sukane, will have an influence on your destiny and, with an arsenal of deadly attacks at your disposal, the fight to make it through each battle will require guile, skill and forethought!

Playing solo is good fun, but playing with a friend in co-op mode elevates this to darn great fun! Samurai Riot offers a plethora of choices and features including both solo and cooperative play, where the story immerses both players equally, with a multi-branching storyline, complete with eight different endings. Conversely, you could enter a PVP fight against your partner to win the lead! The more you play, the more you accumulate points to unlock new fighting schools for better replay value.

Like any game in this genre, this one is easy to pick up and play, but quite difficult to master. Samurai Riot Definitive Edition rewards the more demanding gamer with deeper content. Players can choose from 14 fighting schools (lots of replay value here!) that add an abundance of gameplay variation to the character’s moves and the devastation they can unleash upon their enemies. Hound Picked Games, together with Wako Factory, a French indie development studio, have done an amazing job on Samurai Riot Definitive Edition! This is a delightful 2D scrolling arcade beat’em up game that is fun to play solo or co-op.

Details:

  • Game: Samurai Riot Definitive Edition
  • Platform(s): Nintendo Switch & PC (Steam)
  • Available: June 1st, 2022 (Switch)
  • Price: AU$14.85



Disclaimer: The Nintendo Switch review code for Samurai Riot Definitive Edition was provided by PR Hound.

Review: EPOS H3PRO Hybrid Gaming Headset & B20 Streaming Mic

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We have been fans of EPOS (formerly Sennheiser) audio gear for ages, so we were quite excited when the EPOS H3PRO Hybrid wireless closed acoustics gaming headset and EPOS B20 streaming microphone landed in the office.

EPOS H3PRO Hybrid Wireless Closed Acoustics Gaming Headset:

We had previously reviewed the EPOS H3 Hybrid headset, which we really liked, so we were keen to see how these new premium gaming headphones compared. Well, they are both premium quality, with the H3PRO version having a few additional bells and whistles. Firstly, the H3PRO Hybrid are wireless, so they are immediately able to connect in more ways than our H3 Hybrid headset. Secondly, the ear cups were super comfortable (on our big head) and had the added ANC manual switch which worked a treat when needing some noise cancellation in our aural pleasure. We didn’t know how much we missed this on the H3 Hybrid till we started using the ANC feature on our H3PRO Hybrid headset.

Boasting low latency gaming and up to 19 hours of wireless gaming with ANC on, our Ghost White H3PRO Hybrid are now our new favourite headset!

EPOS B20 Streaming Microphone:

Microphones can make or break your sound experience. We’ve never had a top notch mic before, so the immediate impact of the EPOS B20 streaming mic was quite stark! The build quality is premium, with the side-neck stand giving stability on any flat surface.

We connected our EPOS H3PRO Hybrid headset via the jack on the bottom of the microphone, which just topped off the sound experience. Just speaking into the microphone and hearing our voice through the headset was so cool. For the technically inclined, the B20 houses three condenser capsules that can be set to four different pickup patterns: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo. It samples at 24 bits and 48kHz, with a frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz. All this adds up to configuration options to make you sound as good as possible.

We did find that the mic picked up the slightest background noises, like our hand moving the mouse or the fan on our laptop – not a big deal if you are in a Zoom session or having a casual chat online. Podcasters may need to tinker with their setup to ensure optimal sound without any background distractions. The other little niggle we found was with the gain and volume knobs on the mic – they spin freely without any minimum or maximum setting, meaning lots of knob turning till you find the sweet spot. Once we had the pickup pattern locked in and the gain and volume set to our desired setting, the pickup of our voice either at close range or a few inches away from the mic made us sound like some professional radio DJ. Coupled with the EPOS Gaming Suite software, users can tweak settings to their heart’s content. Thanks to the B20, we no longer have to worry about the quality of our voice when guest speaking on podcasts!

There is a reason why the EPOS H3PRO Hybrid wireless closed acoustics gaming headset won the Design Award 2022 – they are as close to a perfect gaming headset as you can get for under AU$400! Not to be outdone by the headset, the EPOS B20 Streaming microphone is another Design Award 2022 winner, which says quite a lot – it’s a pretty good mic for under $230!

If you are in the market for premium quality audio gear for your gaming and streaming experience without breaking the bank, then the EPOS H3PRO Hybrid headset and EPOS B20 streaming mic should be right at the top of your purchase list.

Cost & where to buy:

  • EPOS H3PRO Hybrid Wireless $399 (currently available at Amazon AU One-Day Prime deal for $299)
  • EPOS B20 Streaming Microphone $229 (currently available at Amazon AU for $159)



Disclaimer: The EPOS H3PRO Hybrid headset & EPOS B20 streaming microphone were provided by POWER UP PR for this review.

Feel the Buzz with JJP’s Toy Story 4 Pinball!

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There is nothing like the buzz of a new pinball machine being announced. Did you see what we did there? No? Ah, never mind.

After what has been one of the worst kept secrets in pinball (but very highly anticipated), Jersey Jack Pinball has announced their latest pinball machine, Toy Story 4!

Designed by the one and only Pat Lawlor (celebrated designer of the best selling pinball machine of all time, The Addams Family), Toy Story 4 from Jersey Jack Pinball will be released in two model options, the Limited Edition and Collector’s Edition.

For the Toy Story fans out there, this is the world under glass that will bring the magic of Toy Story like never before, playing pinball with Woody, Buzz, Bo Peep, and more of your favourite toys as they come to life in this new pinball adventure.

Longer video (26 Minute) going through all the features 

Source: Jersey Jack Pinball

All your fave character voices are in this game, from Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Bo Peep, to Duke Caboom and many more! Custom call outs from Buzz and Woody, coupled with the original soundtrack that includes a special rendition of Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”, completes the Toy Story immersion.

Some of the cool features and toys include sending the silver-ball flying off the Duke Caboom jump ramp — just don’t let the Bensons block your shot! Blast into the jet bumpers to collect a super jackpot in Buzz Multiball, and aim for the stand-up targets to light Rescue Forky. Hurry up and bash Gabby Gabby into a pinball frenzy on the way to scoring Grand Champion. Take a chance on the spinning wheel to earn different awards like Extra Ball, Tiki Party, Super Loops and more! Start interactive carnival games like Star Adventurer, Dragon Zone, Squirrel Derby, and Flipball on the 10-inch playfield frame display, and don’t forget to smile for the camera – a special high-tech digital photo booth feature that takes pictures while you play!

Oh yeah, the Toy Story 4 pinball machines come fully equipped with Bluetooth audio for wireless listening and Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless over-the-air software updates. Scorbit, a competitive pinball platform and social network, is also included in the package.

So that’s it, that is the buzz, folks!

Cost:

  • Toy Story 4 Limited Edition US$12,000 / AU$18,000**
  • Toy Story 4 Collector’s Edition US$15,000 / AU$20,000** (Limited to 1,000 units – already sold out!)

** Australian prices and availability for TS4 CE and LE are not confirmed at this point in time. This post will be updated once the AU$ price and availability are confirmed.

Toy Story 4 Collector’s Edition

Toy Story 4 Limited Edition

image source: Jersey Jack Pinball



Interesting Stats From the ABC Classic’s 2022 Classic 100: Music for the Screen

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We cast our vote in the ABC Classic’s 2022 Classic 100: Music for the Screen countdown and we are happy to report that our top vote, John Williams’s music for the Star Wars series, is now officially Australia’s favourite music for the screen!

With over 215,000 votes, this was the biggest countdown yet. The top 100 soundtracks spanned beloved music for film, TV and video games across genres and generations. On the video games music front, Kojo Kondo’s The Legend of Zelda came in at no. 23!

Check out the rest of the interesting statistics from the ABC Classic 2022 Classic 100: Music for the Screen countdown:

  • Total votes: 215,486 (the biggest Classic 100 to date!)
  • Winner: Star Wars series (John Williams, 1)
  • Highest voted standalone film: The Mission (Ennio Morricone, 3)
  • Highest voted TV series: Game of Thrones (Ramin Djawadi, 10)
  • Highest voted video game: The Legend of Zelda series (Koji Kondo, 23)
  • Highest voted animated film: Howl’s Moving Castle (Joe Hisaishi, 21)
  • Highest voted female composer: Doctor Who (Delia Derbyshire, 12)

story source: ABC Classic



Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium Launches In July

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Put Your Arcade Skills to the Test When Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium Launches This July

Get ready to relive some of your favourite arcade memories when Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium – chock-full with 32 classic Capcom games – releases worldwide on July 22, 2022 on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Steam. Retro fans and arcade novices alike can experience (or re-experience!) arcade mainstays like STREET FIGHTER, SATURDAY NIGHT SLAM MASTERS, BLACK TIGER, MEGAMAN 2 – THE POWER FIGHTERS -, A.K.A. MAGIC SWORD and more. Friends and family can even get in on the action with local multiplayer available across a number of titles.

Similar to the original Capcom Arcade Stadium released last year, players can expect an abundance of customization and gameplay options in Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium, including:

  • Online leaderboards: Climb the ladder and see how you stack up against other players.
  • Display settings: A variety of display settings (Normal, Arcade, Full Screen), screen filters, arcade cabinet designs and frames to personalize every gaming experience and maximize the feeling of playing at your own home arcade.
  • Gameplay options: Including adjustable Game Speed (from “Very Slow” to “Very Fast”) and Difficulty Level to increase accessibility – or to give yourself an added challenge.
  • Rewind: This Rewind feature is available across all Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium games and allows players to jump back 10 seconds in time to save themselves (or a friend) from any unforeseen dangers. Whether you’re struggling to defeat a boss or want to practice a tricky segment of a game, the Rewind feature unlocks a whole new dimension of gameplay.
  • Invincibility mode: Play all the titles in the collection in an invincible state, available as free DLC!

All players start out with SONSON, the 2D side-scrolling platformer first released in 1984, for free. Players who pre-order or purchase Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium before August 5, 2022 will receive the “Display Frames Set 1,” which gives players access to 32 title-specific display frames that open new customization options for their digital arcade cabinets. Additionally, players who pre-order or purchase Capcom Fighting Collection™ before September 30, 2022 will receive Three Wonders, which packs three arcade games into one, as a bonus game for Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium.

With Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium, players have the freedom to build up their own personalized collections by purchasing individual titles. For maximum nostalgia, players can choose to purchase the “Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium Bundle 1” for access to all 32 titles.

Original Capcom Arcade Stadium players also receive bonus content in Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium, including:

  • Capcom Arcade Stadium Music & Lights: Players who have save data from Capcom Arcade Stadium receive access to this new feature that allows you to change the colours and music for the menu screens.
  • Instruction Card Backgrounds: Anyone who purchased at least one title from Capcom Arcade Stadium will be able to set instructions and key art from  past titles as their background for the game.

Lastly, to celebrate Capcom’s 39th anniversary and the first year since the release of Capcom Arcade Stadium, we are making Street Fighter II – The World Warrior – available to download for free in Capcom Arcade Stadium through July 21, 2022.

The full game list for Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium is below. Prepare yourself…it’s a long one!

  • 1943 Kai – Midway Kaisen –
  • A.K.A. BLOCK BLOCK
  • A.K.A. KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND
  • A.K.A. MAGIC SWORD
  • A.K.A. THE KING OF DRAGONS
  • A.K.A. VAMPIRE SAVIOR – The Lord Of Vampire –
  • BLACK TIGER
  • Capcom Sports Club
  • DARKSTALKERS – The Night Warriors –
  • ECO FIGHTERS
  • Gan Sumoku
  • Hissatsu Buraiken
  • HYPER DYNE SIDE ARMS
  • HYPER STREET FIGHTER II – The Anniversary Edition –
  • LAST DUEL
  • MEGAMAN 2 – THE POWER FIGHTERS –
  • MEGAMAN – THE POWER BATTLE –
  • NIGHT WARRIORS – Darkstalkers’ Revenge –
  • Pnickies
  • Rally 2011 LED STORM
  • SATURDAY NIGHT SLAM MASTERS
  • SAVAGE BEES
  • SONSON
  • STREET FIGHTER
  • STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 2
  • STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 3
  • Street Fighter Alpha – Warriors’ Dreams –
  • SUPER GEM FIGHTER – MINI MIX –
  • SUPER PUZZLE FIGHTER II TURBO
  • The Speed Rumbler
  • THREE WONDERS
  • Tiger Road

NOTE: Press Release & Images supplied by Capcom Europe



Sean’s Amazing Retro Video Game Art and Arcade Model Builds

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We have many talented friends around the world. One local multi-talented friend, Sean Tagg (aka:  ) is not only an accomplished Donkey Kong player, but he is also an arcade restorer, OutRun expert and an amazing artist (amongst many other talents)!

Out of all of Sean’s accomplishments and creations, it is his meticulous artistic skill and flair that always captures our attention and astounds us with each of his amazing creations. Sean’s artwork (like on his Shinobi runners) and model builds of iconic video games are simply stunning to say the least. If you don’t believe us, check out the video below!

source: Sean Tagg – Arcade Modeller

Want to see more of Sean’s amazing Arcade Model builds? If you said yes (as you should have), then go to his Arcade Modeller site right now!